Warning signal device responsive to plural interruptions of power line current



June 15, 1965 A BARRY L 3,189,887

WARNING SIGNAL DEiICE RESPONSIVE T0 PLURA INTERRUPTIONS OF POWER LINE CURRENT Filed Dec 26, 1961 INVENTOR fllf'red Barry BY QUM 'I'I'ORNEY United States Patent 3,139,887 WARNING SIGNAL DEVICE RESPGNSEVE T6 PLURAL INRERRUPTIQNS (ll PQWER LINE CURRENT Alfred Barry, Battle Creek, Micln, assignor to Clayton D. Kelly, Battle Greek, Mich.

Filed Dec. 26, 1961, Ser. No. 161,869

3 Claims. ((Zl. Mil -3w) The present invention relates broadly to signaling devices, and more specifically to an electrically operated warning device.

How to send out a general warning of an approaching nuclear air raid, approaching tornado, or other approaching dangerous condition has occupied the thoughts of many. A system which has been recently tested at the Gfiice of Civil Defense and Mobilization involves the use of a special electrical device operatable by a special gen erator developing ultra-high cycles which can be superimposed upon, and carried along with, the normal voltage on the electric power lines of the local electric power company with the auxiliary power generating systems to produce this superimposed voltage being very expensive, and with many of such systems required to blanket a large area. Another system involves changing the frequency of the line voltage a very small amount, for instance a half cycle, from the standard being used (normally 6O cycle in most places), with such shift actuating a signaling device connected to the electric circuit involved. These systems are too expensive or complicated for normal use, and this still leaves a simple solution to the problem a thing to be desired. It was a recognition of this situation and the lack of any fully commercially acceptable solution to same which led to the conception and development of the present invention.

Accordingly among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a highly simplified and positive acting device for connection, in the home or other place, to the conventional area electricity supplying power lines, and

which device may be readily actuated by the electric power company.

Another object of the present invention is the prevention of a single accidental power failure from putting the warning signal into operation.

Another object of the present invention is to have the device show that the power has been off 011%, and if it does not go off again promptly, then this indicates that the power was accidentally turned oil and that the device should be re-set.

A further object is to provide an electrically actuated device which, in a preferred form, goes into signaling operation upon turning the electric power off twice in succession.

A further object is to provide an electrically actuated warning device which, when fully operated, gives out both a visual and an audible signal when the warning signal is brought on by a predetermined multiple breaking of the flow of electricity in the power line circuit.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then consists of the warning signal means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but one of the various ways in which the principle of the inivention may be used.

In the annexed drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of the apparatus of the present invention connected to a conventional electrical outlet.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the device of FIGURE 1 opened to show the working parts of the assembly, including the wiring diagram of same.

Referring more particularly to FIGURE 1 of the drawing it will be noted that the signaling assembly has a housing 5 which may have a back member 6, and a front member 7, which may be fastened together by means of screws or the like. The assembly within housing 5 may be electrically connected to a suitable source of electricity such as by means of an electrical connector 9 conventionally plugged into an electric wall outlet 10. Three signal lights of this specific assembly also show on the front of the front member 7 of housing 5, and which may be red 11, green 12, and amber 13.

Inside of the assembly there is mounted a multiple position switch, for instance a three-position switch 14, by means of screws 15. This switch is actuated by means of a solenoid 16 which is held retracted by means of a tension spring 17 when there is no electric power supplied to the solenoid 16 which is fastened in place by means of screws 18. In addition to the colored lights ll, 12 and 13, there is preferably provided an audible signaling means which may be in the form of a buzzer 1% or the like held in place on front member 7 by means of a screw 20, FIGURE 1.

With the electrical connector 9 plugged into electrical wall outlet flit supplied with electricity, it will be noted that this electrical connector 9 passes through an electrically insulating grommet 21 into the inside of housing 5. The electrical connector 9 carries the conventional two wires of which wire 22 is connected to terminal 23 of solenoid 16, while the second wire 24 of electrical connector it is connected to terminal 25 of solenoid 16. With wires 22 and 24 connected to solenoid 16 as thus described, the solenoid will be actuated to push the solenoid core member 26 to the end of the travel of same permitted by its head 27 against the tension of tension spring 17, as shown in FIGURE 2.

With the solenoid 16 electrically held in the starting position for the assembly, as shown in FIGURE 2, and with flexible chain 28 connecting the solenoid core member to the operating handle 29 of three-position switch 14, the electric circuit will light the amber light 13. In this situation the lighting circuit consists of wire 30 which connects terminal 23 of solenoid 16 to terminal 31 of switch 14. Terminal 3-1, in turn, is connected by wire 32 to terminal 33 of socket 34 carrying amber light 13 through which the current passes to terminal 35 so that this signal light of the apparatus is supplied with operating current. Connected by means of wire 36 to terminal 37 of the green signal light socket 38, terminal 37 in turn is connected by wire 3? to terminal 40 of red signal light socket 41. Terminal 4%), in turn, is connected by means of wire 42 to terminal 25 of solenoid 16 thus completing the electric circuit and lighting the amber signal light 13. This amber light electric circuit is a closed one so that assess? the amber light is always on as a signal that the apparatus is supplied with operating current.

Since the temporary breaking of the electric power line circuit is the means for actuating this signal mechanism, and with a recognition that the main warning signal should not come on merely for a single power failure which tentatively might be accidental, for instance due to an electrical storm, or the accidental opening of a circuit breaker, the apparatus is arranged so that normally the amber light 13 and green light 12 are lighted, and that with one break of the power circuit this will turn off the green light 12, as hereinafter set forth, and leave only the amber light 13 burning. For a real or main warning signal that there is a nuclear air raid on the way, or a tornado coming in, or the like, a second break of the power circuit would be purposely made. Accordingly, if a single break is made and the amber light is found on, and it remains on, then it must be recognized that a true warning signal has not been started, but only an accidental power break and the person to be warned can then break the circuit twice by himself such as by unplugging the apparatus from electric wall outlet lib twice to put the apparatus back in starting position which, as previously stated, involves having the amber signal light 13 lit simultaneously with the green signal light 12.

The general operation of the apparatus is as follows: Recognizing, as set forth above, that the amber signal light 13 is always on when the apparatus is electrically connected to a source of electrical power through wall outlet Til, it is to be noted that the first operating station of the device is with the amber signal light 13 and the green signal light 12 lighted, and wherein one power failure will disconnect the green signal light and a second power failure will turn on the red signal light 11 and the buzzer 19 which is the signal that there is a nuclear attack on the way, or a tornado, or other dangerous situation imminent. The next break of the electric power circuit turns ofi the red signal light 11 and buzzer w and turns on the green signal light 12, all of which is taken care of through the actuation of solenoid 16 which operates the three-position switch 14 to vary the connected circuits as described.

Since the amber signal light 13 is always on, when the apparatus is electrically connected and operating, and iurther that the starting signal of the series is with both the amber signal light and green signal light lighted, threeposition switch 14 would be set at the start to close the circuit and light the green signal light 12. This circuit is as follows: Since terminals 23 and 2-5 of solenoid 16 are directly connected to the source of power, it is only a matter of connecting the green signal light electrically to those terminals in order to light the green signal light 12. Referring to FIGURE 2, terminal 25 is connected by means of wire 42 to terminal 40 of the red signal light socket at which in turn is connected by wire 39 to terminal 37 of the green signal light socket 33. Electric power then passes through the green signal light 12 to terminal which in turn is connected by means of wire 4-4 to terminal 45 of the three-position switch 14 which closes the circuit to its terminal 31 connected to wire 3% which in turn is joined to terminal 23 of solenoid 16 thus completing the lighting circuit for the green signal light.

With the amber and green signal lights lit and which is the starting condition of the warning apparatus, a temporary failure of the power received through electric wall outlet 10 would deenergize solenoid 16 which would allow tension spring 17 to pull the solenoid core member 26 back through the body of solenoid 26 to the end of its travel, and this in turn through flexible chain 28 connected to the operating handle 2h of three-position switch 14 will actuate that switch and open the electric circuit to the green light 12 so that when the temporarily interrupted electric power comes on again only the amber light will come on. This is the second stage of the signaling device, wherein only the amber light is lighted, and visually calls to the attention of the user the fact that the power has been off once, and that if it goes oh? again promptly that is the warning to get ready for some serious happening. However, if the amber signal stays on and the further signal does not take place within a few minutes, it is then obvious that only an accidental power oti situa tion had happened and then unplugging electric connector 9 from electrical outlet it will, as hereinafter set forth, bring on the danger signal and then following this same operation once more by pulling the electric connector again from the wall outlet 1d and replugging same will return the apparatus to its initial or starting position with the amber and green lights in operation.

However, if the apparatus has been working with the green and amber lights lit and then suddenly the green light goes out leaving only the amber burning, then with a further power break, which would be intentional in case of danger, the following actuation would take place: The second breaking of the power circuit again deenergizes solenoid l6 and allows tension spring 1'7 to once more pull the solenoid core member back through the solenoid to its normal stopping point, and this in turnwill pull flexible chain 28 and actuate operating handle 25 of the three-position switch to turn on the red signal light 11, and buzzer 19. This is accomplished in the following manner: The operation of the red signal light it takes place by means of wire 42 connecting to terminal 25 of solenoid 16 to terminal 4% of socket ll and red light 11. The second terminal 46 of socket ill is connected to a wire 47 which in turn is connected to terminal 4-8 of threeposition switch 14 which in turn closes the circuit through wire 3t back to tern nal 23 on solenoid 16 thus completing the electrical circuit involved and turning on the red light ll. At the same time the buzzer circuit is actuated through wire 49 connecting terminal 25 of solenoid 16 to terminal 50 of buzzer 19 and with the current passing through the buzzer and out of terminal 51 through wire 52 to terminal ,8 on three-position switch 14 which in turn closes the circuit through wire 3%) to terminal 23 on solenoid 16, as before, and which thus actuates the buzz-e1 circuit simultaneously with the circuit through red light it. The red light and the buzzer thus give both visual and audible warning signals so that the warned person can turn his radio to the CONELRAD frequency and learn what ditliculty has been called to attention by means of the warning system.

This apparatus, accordingly, is a very simple on for giving both visual and audible warning signals and yet permits one accidental power disruption to take place without indicating imminent danger to be guarded against.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the apparatus and combinations herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my inventlonz 1. An automatic warning apparatus for use in connection with the conventional electric power system of a many customer power service area, and wherein said warning apparatus is operatable by temporary interruption of the electric current being delivered through said power systern, said apparatus comprising in combination an electromagnetic coil including an armature member, an electric connector for operably electrically connecting said coil to said electric power system, a multiple position electric switch having at least three operating positions, one of which is the starting position, means electrically connecting said switch to said electric power system, means connecting said armature of said coil to said switch for operating the latter each time said coil is actuated by interrupting the electric current delivered thereto, a signaling means which is in constant operation when electric current is being operably delivered from said power system to said warning apparatus, said signal showing that the apparatus is in operation, an electric circuit means connected to and through said switch for actuating an initial electrical warning signal emitting means upon first operation of said switch from its starting position, and a main alarm signal emitting means actuatable upon a further operation of said switch, with the final actuation of said coil armature restoring said switch to its starting position.

2. An automatic warning apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main alarm signal emitting means includes a visual signal and an audible signal.

3. An automatic Warning apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic coil comprises a solenoid coil and wherein said armature member comprises a sole noid core movable en-dwise in said coil.

' References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/25 Willis 340-325 1/31 Favorger 340325 X FOREIGN PATENTS 8,559 6/ 16 Great Britain. 351,523 8/37 Italy. 10 519,688 11/37 Great Britain.

NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner. IRVING SRAGOW, Examiner. 

1. AN AUTOMATIC WARNING APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONVENTIONAL ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM OF A MANY CUSTOMER POWER SERVICE AREA, AND WHEREIN SAID WARNING APPARATUS IS OPERATABLE BY TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION OF THE ELECTRIC CURRENT BEING DELIVERED THROUGH SAID POWER SYSTEM, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION AN ELECTROMAGNETIC COIL INCUDLING AN ARMATURE MEMBER, AN ELECTRIC CONNECTOR FOR OPERABLY ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING SAID COIL TO SAID ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM, A MULTIPLE POSITION ELECTRIC SWITCH HAVING AT LEAST THREE OPERATING POSITIONS, ONE OF WHICH IS THE STARTING POSITION, MEANS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING SAID SWITCH TO SAID ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM, MEANS CONNECTING SAID ARMATURE OF SAID COIL TO SAID SWITCH FOR OPERATING THE LATTER EACH TIME SAID COIL TO SAID SWITCH FOR OPRUPTING THE ELECTRIC CURRENT DELIVERED THERETO, A SIGNALING MEANS WHICH IS IN CONSTANT OPERATION WHEN ELECTRIC CURRENT IS BEING OPERABLE DELIVERED FROM SAID POWER SYSTEM TO SAID WARNING APPARATUS, SAID SIGNAL SHOWING THAT THE APPARATUS IS IN OPERATION, AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTED TO AND THROUGH SAID SWITCH FOR ACTUATING AN INITIAL ELECTRICAL WARNING SIGNAL EMITTING MEANS UPON FIRST OPERATION OF SAID SITCH FROM ITS STARTING POSITION, AND A MAIN ALARM SIGNAL EMITTING MEANS ACTUATABLE UPON A FURTHER OPERATION OF SAID SWITCH, WITH THE FINAL ACTUATION OF SAID COIL ARMATURE RESTORING SAID SWITCH TO ITS STARTING POSITION. 